Compensator delite
HDF Community Team
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 1,434
Likes: 800
From: Colorado
Just keep in mind that the comp is in place, to soften the engine pulses to the trans gears.
Depending on the amount of power you are making, if you do delete the comp, may have to go to a stronger trans, so your not busting gears.
Myself, just too easy to swap comp wave springs to add more tension if needed if your getting a lot of comp noise, to leave it in play to help protect the trans. Also, there is the latest gens of comps, that oil a lot better to keep the springs from wearing out so fast.
Hence most comp eliminator sprockets go for hundreds of dollars, while you can rebuild a comp with new wave washers (if that is just the problem on it) for about $40 instead.
Depending on the amount of power you are making, if you do delete the comp, may have to go to a stronger trans, so your not busting gears.
Myself, just too easy to swap comp wave springs to add more tension if needed if your getting a lot of comp noise, to leave it in play to help protect the trans. Also, there is the latest gens of comps, that oil a lot better to keep the springs from wearing out so fast.
Hence most comp eliminator sprockets go for hundreds of dollars, while you can rebuild a comp with new wave washers (if that is just the problem on it) for about $40 instead.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,110
Likes: 51,396
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Just keep in mind that the comp is in place, to soften the engine pulses to the trans gears.
Depending on the amount of power you are making, if you do delete the comp, may have to go to a stronger trans, so your not busting gears.
Myself, just too easy to swap comp wave springs to add more tension if needed if your getting a lot of comp noise, to leave it in play to help protect the trans. Also, there is the latest gens of comps, that oil a lot better to keep the springs from wearing out so fast.
Hence most comp eliminator sprockets go for hundreds of dollars, while you can rebuild a comp with new wave washers (if that is just the problem on it) for about $40 instead.
Depending on the amount of power you are making, if you do delete the comp, may have to go to a stronger trans, so your not busting gears.
Myself, just too easy to swap comp wave springs to add more tension if needed if your getting a lot of comp noise, to leave it in play to help protect the trans. Also, there is the latest gens of comps, that oil a lot better to keep the springs from wearing out so fast.
Hence most comp eliminator sprockets go for hundreds of dollars, while you can rebuild a comp with new wave washers (if that is just the problem on it) for about $40 instead.
Banned
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 14,866
Likes: 31,162
From: Whiskey Falls, Texas
Check crankshaft run out as well. I put a Dark Horse Motor Sprocket comp delete on my fast bagger, and factory recommendation was no more than .0008 run out if I remember right. Dano mentioned busting gears. You can bust other important **** as well with excessive run out and no comp.
I would have to ask Dan, but I imagine run out on Shovel era bikes were hit and miss, because 30 yrs later Harley had the same problems.
I would have to ask Dan, but I imagine run out on Shovel era bikes were hit and miss, because 30 yrs later Harley had the same problems.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,110
Likes: 51,396
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Check crankshaft run out as well. I put a Dark Horse Motor Sprocket comp delete on my fast bagger, and factory recommendation was no more than .0008 run out if I remember right. Dano mentioned busting gears. You can bust other important **** as well with excessive run out and no comp.
I would have to ask Dan, but I imagine run out on Shovel era bikes were hit and miss, because 30 yrs later Harley had the same problems.
I would have to ask Dan, but I imagine run out on Shovel era bikes were hit and miss, because 30 yrs later Harley had the same problems.
And yeah it could be real hit & miss out of the factory those days.
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Joined: Sep 2005
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Compensator delite
I had a shovelhead chopper and it had a gear instead of the compensator. Ran well never a problem,just looking for less maint.thanks for the info.
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,110
Likes: 51,396
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Older bikes had better primary ratios and less horsepower so tweaking the crank wasn't as big an issue as it is with twinkies and later engines, don't hammer it you'll do fine.
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Thought that was funny, how HD still fights those all those decades later.
In your case, if we're talking about a mostly stock Evo bike, the factory comp should be maintenance free and last about forever.
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